winning streak South Africa ends India’s nine-series

Indomitable at home, India’s batsmen capitulated in the face of South Africa’s menacing pace attack to suffer a 135-run drubbing in the second Test here today, ending a nine-series unbeaten run for Virat Kohli’s world No.1 side.

After the 72-run loss in the opening Test, the margin got bigger here as the visitors handed the home side a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Rohit Sharma’s 47 was the lone noteworthy contribution in a chase of 287, which was a tall ask from the beginning given the unpredictable bounce of the pitch. The Indians folded for 151 in 50.2 overs, never really offering a fight.

It was a revenge of sorts for Faf du Plessis’ side, which had been blanked 3-0 by hosts India in 2015.

Debutant Lungi Ngidi was the newest fast-bowling nemesis that India discovered as he snared six scalps for a mere 39 runs in 12.2 overs.

From team selection to shot selection, to running between the wickets to the absence of sheer grit, India were left pondering quite a few issues at the end of just there second Test away from the sub-continent in more than a year.

This was after India, had been reduced to 87/7 at one stage, looking firmly down the barrel.

Starting from overnight 35/3, it was another horrific first hour of play for the visitors.

On the 19th ball of the morning, in the 27th over, Cheteshwar Pujara (19) was run out for the second time in the match. He went for an unnecessary third run and couldn’t beat AB de Villiers’ throw from the deep, which Quinton de Kock swiftly passed to the stumps.

After his suicidal run-out in the first innings, Pujara became the first Indian batsman to be run-out twice in the same Test.

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